Netflix

It's officially back! Five years after being canceled by Fox, the quirky cult comedy 'Arrested Development' will air its final season exclusively on Netflix. New episodes are slated to hit the video streaming site in the first half of 2013.

The news comes as a major victory for 'Arrested Development' fans, who for years have been clamoring for more of the Bluths. After its premature cancellation, the show's rabid fan-base sustained itself by watching re-runs on Hulu and dreaming of a movie. Now they're being rewarded for their patience with an extra season, too.

The deal is also a content coup for Netflix, the recently beleaguered streaming service. "For the first time in their histories, Twentieth Century Fox Television and Imagine Television will produce original first-run entertainment content for the world's leading internet subscription service, bringing back the acclaimed series to production on all new episodes five years after its cancellation," Netflix said in a statement.

'The Vampire Diaries' fans will soon be able to sink their teeth into 'The Vampire Diaries' whenever they want on Netflix.

The CW and Netflix have struck a four-year deal to bring past seasons of shows to the streaming service. Previous seasons of 'The Vampire Diaries,' 'Gossip Girl,' 'One Tree Hill' and 'Nikita' will be on Netflix starting Oct. 15.

'Supernatural' and '90210' will be added in January 2012 and current seasons, including the first seasons of 'Ringer,' 'Hart of Dixie' and 'The Secret Circle,' will be available next fall.

Your desire for zombies is about to get a whole lot easier to satisfy.

Starting today, 'The Walking Dead' Season 1 will be available on Netflix to members in the US and Canada. AMC Networks has struck a deal with Netflix to bring the horror hit to the instant streaming service.

"This agreement supports the cable 'ecosystem' by making our content available to Netflix nearly a year following the linear premiere, it brings our content to a wider audience, and it provides additional revenue to support production of new shows," John Sapan, president and CEO of AMC Networks said.

Additionally, Netflix will get 'Portlandia,' 'The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret,' 'My Fair Wedding,' 'Bridezillas,' 'Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys,' 'Braxton Family Values' and more as part of the deal with AMC Networks.

Yes, many people are still watching 'South Park' 14 seasons after its Comedy Central debut. Should you still be watching 'South Park'? Depends.

Do you like to laugh until your sides hurt and your eyes tear up? Does cheering on an aging but still sharp franchise that somehow manages to stay relevant sound appealing to you? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you should probably pick up a copy of 'South Park' The Complete Fourteenth Season on Blu-ray or DVD today.

The show might be a bit past its prime, but it still takes more risks and delivers more jokes per episode than anything else on TV. Season 14's targets include Facebook, NASCAR and, most famously, the Muslim prophet Muhammad.

After the jump, check out the other new releases available on DVD, Blu-ray and Netflix Watch Instantly this week.

Why on Earth would Fox release a DVD featuring the "most sensational" musical numbers from 'Glee''s first season and none of the other scenes -- you know, the ones with actual dialogue and jokes about hepatitis and waterboarding? Lots of reasons actually.

'Glee: Encore,' released today on DVD and Blu-ray, will appeal to parents wanting to share their favorite 'Glee' musical performances with their little Gleeks-in-training (or force them down their throats) without worrying about exposing them to the show's more mature content. This set is also perfect for viewers who want to cut straight to Finn and crew belting out 'Don't Stop Believen' and 'Jessie's Girl' and avoid fast-forwarding through all the relationship drama and slushie tossing.

What is it about kids' shows? They're the trippiest things on TV. Remember that ghastly Baby Sun from 'The Teletubbies'? That was weird, but nothing compares to 'H.R. Pufnstuf,' the show that made America wonder, "What they hell were they smoking when they made this!? And where in San Francisco can I get some?"

Sid and Marty Krofft's first live-action, giant puppet series premiered in 1969 and held the nation's children in its colorful, hallucinogenic grip for three seasons as part of NBC's Saturday morning lineup. Now you can relive the long, strange trip with 'H.R. Pufnstuf' The Complete Series and Collector's Edition, released today on DVD.

The three-disc package is pretty much a re-release of the Complete Series box that came out a few years ago, but the newer set features an H.R. Pufnstuf Bobblehead plus a rare episode of the 'Pufnstuf' spinoff 'Horror Hotel.' It's a must-buy for Krofft completists (and perhaps a fun gift for the 'Mr. Show' fan in your life).

Check out the other new releases available on DVD, Blu-ray and Netflix Watch Instantly this week, after the jump.

The fantastic drama about a small Texas town has languished in the ratings. Despite endless praise from critics and devoted fans, a public enraptured by reality TV and forensic science neglected the show, relegating the Dylan Panthers and their cheering section to the bottom of the Nielsen charts. But, somehow, the TV gods allowed 'FNL' to continue spinning its inspiring, captivating and ultimately heroic tale for five seasons.

In the end, some characters moved on, some stayed put, and showrunner Jason Katims smartly shined the spotlight on the series' star players, Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton.

The Season 5 DVD features final-episode commentary from Katims as well as a tearjerker featurette about the show's five-season run. Buy it!

Check out the other new releases available on DVD, Blu-ray and Netflix Watch Instantly this week, after the jump ...

Netflix just got cooler. The entertainment powerhouse and Fox have extended their content arrangement.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, 'Glee,''Sons of Anarchy' and 'Ally McBeal' have been added to Netflix's instant stream feature. It's just 'Glee' season 1 at the moment, but we all know how great some of those episodes were. 'Sons of Anarchy' season 1 and 2, along with the entire series of 'Ally McBeal' are currently available.

"Our expanded non-exclusive streaming arrangement with Netflix maintains Fox's flexibility to effectively manage both the content we offer, and the appropriate window of availability relative to our other distribution partnerships," Peter Levinsohn, president of new media and digital distribution at Fox Filmed Entertainment, said in a statement.

Don Draper took a bold stab at building a new life during 'Mad Men' season 4, available today on DVD and Blu-ray. Season 4 followed Don, Peggy, Roger and the rest of the Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce clan as they experienced small successes, bitter failures and, of course, tragedies in their relationships and business ventures.

Season 4 almost felt like a fresh start for the Emmy-winning series, as Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce began to take off, and Don, now divorced from Betty, stumbled in his new role as a single father and authority figure. One of the great joys of season 4 was watching Don and Peggy work together more than ever and seeing their relationship evolve from the boss/secretary dynamic to a more rewarding teacher/student scenario.

Roger and Joan's drama seemed never-ending, and Don almost fell off the deep end (again) in a whirlwind season that ended with a huge question mark hovering over every major character's head. Here's hoping AMC and Matthew Weiner settle that reported contract dispute already and start production on the much-anticipated fifth season.

Check out the other new releases available on DVD, Blu-ray and Netflix Watch Instantly this week, after the jump ...

•'Law & Order' star S. Epatha Merkerson is going from the law to medicine in a new CBS pilot. The actress will play the administrative assistant to Patrick Wilson's surgeon character. [The Hollywood Reporter]

•Lauren Graham's Sarah Braverman will get yet another new love interest, this time played by Steven Weber. The actor has booked a guest spot on 'Parenthood''s season finale, with the potential to return next season. [TV Line]

•Soon, Netflix subscribers won't be able to stream current seasons of Showtime series anymore. The network said it will still make past seasons and old shows available. [Deadline]

It could be argued that the world is split into two camps: those who get and love 'The Venture Bros.' and those who don't.

The bizarre, hilarious and (sometimes) brilliant Adult Swim series skewers the conventions of 1960s action toons like 'Johnny Quest' and 'Space Ghost' while paying homage to their silly and antiquated storytelling and animation styles. But 'The Venture Bros.' is much, much more than a campy parody show.

In four short seasons, creator Jackson Publick has crafted an intricate mythology for his cracked fantasy world that features an ever-growing cast of weirdo scientists, adventurers, heroes, and villains with dueling agendas, strange love lives and shifting personalities.

The Complete Fourth Season, available today on Blu-ray along with Season 4, Volume 2 on DVD, follows the Venture family as they're separated from brawny bodyguard Brock Samson and Dean Venture is tasked with killing Hitler, whose soul has been transferred to a bull dog. Yeah, a bull dog. Like I said, two camps!

Check out the other new releases available on DVD, Blu-ray and Netflix Watch Instantly this week, after the jump ...

There are three topics in this week's podcast: HBO's 'Mildred Pierce,' which stars Kate Winslet and Evan Rachel Wood and debuts Sunday; Netflix's entry into the scripted-content arena with 'House of Cards'; and a couple of recent 'Chuck' and 'Supernatural' panels that were moderated by some mutant redheaded TV critic.

Netflix made it official today: The company has ordered its first original television series.

Netflix has commissioned 26 episodes of a television series called 'House of Cards,' which will star Kevin Spacey and be executive produced by director David Fincher. According to a Friday press release, you'll be able to put 'House of Cards' in your Netflix queue in late 2012.

Netflix going from content-delivery system to a content-creation company raises a lot of questions in my mind, but the primary one is this: Won't this lead to a lot of studios taking their shows and movies off Netflix at some point?

I can't imagine they're too happy about facing competition from a company they'd essentially viewed as a pipeline into people's homes.

Not content to remain a middle man in the "getting quality television programming directly to consumers" game, Netflix is teaming up with Oscar-snubbed director David Fincher and Kevin Spacey to air the duo's original series 'House of Cards.'

Deadline reports that Neflix outbid premium cable networks for the drama by offering a two-season, 26-episode commitment. The company had previously said it wasn't interested in getting into original programming, but with competitors like Amazon nipping at their heels, it seems like a smart move.

In other TV news ...

• Could Ricki Lake return to TV? Depends on what Katie Couric wants to do. If the CBS anchor doesn't renew her contract and heads to daytime instead, Lake's out of luck. [Broadcasting & Cable]

• Joan and Melissa will be back for more hijinks in 2012. WE tv renewed the mother-daughter duo's reality show for a second season. [The Hollywood Reporter]

• Another taxidermy show? As Sarah Palin might say, you betcha! The Discovery Channel announced a new special called 'Taxidermy USA' that's scheduled to air March 31. Do we really need to explain what it's about? [Discovery]